New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-04
THE HIGH-LICENSE BILL.

Several strong arguments were made on be-
half of Mr.. Crosbi's High License bill before
the Excise Committee at Albany on Tuesday.
The considerations upon which this measure
rests are such as to appeal to the reason of all
practical and public-spiiited legislators. The
saloon situation in Ncw-Yorlk has become such
that it cannot be defended or supported save
upon grounds equally available for the shelter
and encouragement of open vice, public de-
hatchery and UNPUBLISHED crime. No prctencc
can be made, even by such as stand for the
greatest freedom in regard to drink, that there
is need for One-half the drinking-places now
open in this city. 1t is patent to the least
observing that the recent steady and
rapid increase in tho number Of
saloons means competition for GUS
tom which leads to the systematic manu-
facturc Of drunkards J.; the most abominable and
intolerable occupation in which human beings
can be eneagcn. Crime also is multiplied 10y the
increase of these places, and the morals and
pockets of the whole community suffer in order
that a small number of unprinciplcd and ire
sponsible persons shall be encouraged and pro-
tccted in attacking the public interests.
The situation Is wholly incompatible with the
cation. 1t is a disgrace and humiliation to
great city, daily rcproach to her citizens and
an Indictment of those who lcgislatc for her
High license is not demanded by Ncw-Yorl
upon theoretical grounds. 1t is not required
only by those who would if they could stop
drinking altogether 1t is called for by practical
business men who have never believed in pro-
hibiton. They ask for it because they see that
the saloon in Ncw-York IS dominating every
thing. Because they perceive that it not only
controls politics and degrades and corrupts it,
but that IL reinforces every tendency TO violence
and lawlessness in the contests between labor
and its employers Because it is certain that
il any trouble grows out OF the pending strikes
the saloons more than any other agency will
incite to it. Because these places drown the
reason OF workingmen when most they need
their wits, and make them the tools and dupcs
of demagogues and noisy scfseckcrs who are
certain to bctray their crcdulous followers first
and desert them aftcrward. Because half at
least Of the discomfort Of labor is born Of the
saloon, which posons industry, suggests social
ism and breeds anarchy continually.
Unqucstionaby it would bc for the immcasur-
able good of the community if the last saloon
COuIu De ClOScu, DUt Tduondl men IcdiIHc INC
impractcabihty Of radical reform al present.
| and therefore they concentrate their energies
| upon tho support Of a measure which can be
carried into effect, and which will operate 10
diminish the drink evil fifty per cent at least
High license is not the best thing, but it is the
best thing attanahe here and now. Prohb-
ton is mere dream so far as this city is con-
ccined, but high license is practical. 1t can he
relied upon to reduce the number Of saloons in
New York from 10000 to 5000 and that i'm
plies real change for the better. Temperance
is a question Of education 1t is a vital qucs-
ton, yet it demands time for. working out.
High license, by cutting down the monstrous
morbid growth of the saloon, will afford oppor-
| tunity for influencing the public taste and clc-
I waiting the moral standard. The State Lcgis-
lature cannot afford to take the side of the
| liquor interest in this matter. Even the liquor
interest, if it understood the things which con-
Germ it clearly, wonld refrain from fighting the
High License bill. The evils accruing from the
present state of things are so many and so cumu-
lative that if unchecked they must presently
compel popular movement which Is certain to
demand much moro radical reforms than are
now proposed. Mr.. Crosbys bill is not one
which members who desire to be thought pub
lic-spirltcd and enlightened can afford to oppose
| 1t is needed for the defence of this community
and il ought 10 be enacted into law.